Adventists pledge continued aid for the poor

THE ADVENTIST Church in eastern Jamaica has pledged its continued support for the less fortunate in the National Heroes Circle and around Kingston.

In his acceptance message at the service of installation for officers and directors of the church's eastern region, re-elected president, Pastor Adrian Cotterell, said touching the lives of those in need was one of his new adminis-tration's top priorities.

"It is not by chance that we earnestly seek to help those who are referred to as outcast in our community," said Cotterell. "Through the Good Samaritan Inn, we will not only continue, but improve on what we presently do. We will increase the number of days that we serve hot meals to street people from three to seven. We will also expand the programme of assistance to schools in the surrounding inner-city communities through the distribution of lunch, books, bags and school fees."

The service of installation for the newly elected officers and directors was held on Saturday at the Kencot Adventist Church in St Andrew.

The Good Samaritan Inn, which, in December 2007, started serving hot meals to street people once per week, currently serves food to more than 400 people three days per week, and provides washing facilities, clothing and quarterly clinic services in conjunction with Andrews Memorial Hospital, which provides free medical check-ups and prescription drugs where necessary.

Overnight facility

Cotterell added: "We are also in the process of setting up our overnight facility where persons who have nowhere to sleep can come in and sleep over in times of disaster or crisis situations."

During the third quadrennial session of the conference, which lasted from July 21-23, Elder Bancroft Barwise, who has served for the past 10 years, was re-elected as treasurer. Pastor Devon Osbourne, who currently serves as pastor for the Meadowvale district of churches, was elected to serve as the new secretary. The elections took place at the Kencot Adventist Church.

The East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists comprises the parishes of Kingston, St Andrew and St Thomas.